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Elgin officials say police not involved in immigration enforcement as ICE detainees pile
Elgin leaders last week looked to temper community concerns growing over recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area, stressing local law enforcement is not involved beyond what state law requires.
Officials said in a release they are responding to fears voiced by residents, particularly within immigrant communities, by clarifying what cooperation is required and what local police will — and will not — do.
The statement comes amid a spike in ICE operations across Central Texas and enforcement activity visible locally.
Since November, 36 ICE detainees have been arrested in Bastrop County, including nine arrests since the start of the year, according to jail records.
“We are a community where everyone should be able to live, work and play without fear for their safety and well-being,” Mayor Theresa McShan said in a statement. “It is unconscionable to separate families and tear apart our Latino communities, and I believe the agency is on a slippery slope towards targeting other vulnerable communities, many of whom reside in Elgin.”
As of press time, ICE officials did not respond to requests for comment.
ON THE STREETS
While public safety agencies aim to balance community trust and compliance with legal obligations, some residents say enforcement actions are occurring without warning or explanation.
That concern led to a protest in Elgin Jan. 11 that drew hundreds of people, with demonstrators calling for transparency and due process.
“This is not about left versus right. This is not about values. It’s about our city’s motto that reminds us we are one team, one town and one family,” said protest organizer Amber Gagliano to council members Jan. 20.
In response to the protest, state Rep. Stan Gerdes, whose district includes Elgin, defended ICE and criticized demonstrators.
“To every ICE officer in District 17: your governor, your state representative and the entire state of Texas stands with you,” Gerdes said. “To the radicals assaulting, doxxing and threatening law enforcement — congratulations, we’re going to work even harder to enforce the law.”
Similar protests condemning ICE tactics have sprung up nationally in recent weeks. Gatherings across California, New York and Minnesota have drawn thousands of participants, many citing fears of family separations and civil rights violations. Elgin officials said local concerns mirror those being voiced nationwide.
“Like other cities … we are keeping a close eye on the actions of this agency and will continue to support and protect our law-abiding residents from harm and distress to the extent that we are able,” City Manager Robert Eads said in a statement.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
ICE does not coordinate with local police before conducting operations within city limits, according to Police Chief Chris Noble. He said he has had direct contact with ICE officials only once, when agents were concluding activity and preparing to transport detainees to Austin earlier this year.
“For humanitarian purposes, I offered the use of EPD’s toilet facilities for both the detainees and officers before they made the trip to downtown Austin,” Noble said. “Since then, I occasionally hear ICE is in the Elgin area but cannot confirm that.”
Noble said the department would respond if any law enforcement agency, including ICE, requests assistance to enforce criminal laws, but only within legal limits.
At the county level, Bastrop County Sheriff Maurice Cook said state law requires a limited level of cooperation with ICE. Some of the county’s jailers have received training but the Sheriff’s Office has no other active agreements with the agency.
Under Senate Bill 8, effective Jan. 1, ICE is allowed to delegate certain immigration responsibilities to local and state law enforcement.
PUBLIC FEAR
Elgin resident Annette Whatley urged council members to draw a clear line between local policing and immigration enforcement during their meeting Jan. 20.
“Public safety and civil rights are not opposites. In Elgin, they must stand together,” Whatley said. “When residents fear that calling 911 or speaking to police could lead to detention or deportation, crimes go unreported and people stay silent — that makes everyone less safe.”
City officials said their statements are intended to address those concerns while outlining the legal boundaries governing local and county law enforcement.
The city’s full statement is available at elgintexas.gov.
“This is not about left versus right. This is not about values. It’s about our city’s motto that reminds us we are one team, one town and one family.”
— Amber Dee Gagliano, protest organizer
